Flexible cap device and methods

ABSTRACT

A cap device for use with a container includes a chamber for containing a composition and a shell for adapting to the container. The composition is kept safe from the environment by means of a film. The chamber has a piercer which, when actuated, breaks the film, permitting the flow of composition from the chamber into the shell. The composition can be mixed with liquid just prior to consumption in order to, for example, maximize stability, taste, and activity of the ingredients.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/782,602, filed Mar. 14, 2013. The above referenced application is incorporated herein by reference as if restated in full.

BACKGROUND

There are many beverages sold in the market that are compositions of one or more ingredients, usually a liquid and one or more solid perishable ingredients. Often, these ingredients have a short shelf life and must be refrigerated. Compositions can be stored without refrigeration if they have been pasteurized, but the pasteurization process destroys the freshness as well as the nutritional quality of the perishable ingredients. In order to preserve the freshness and nutritional quality, the perishable ingredients can be dehydrogenated and kept separate from the liquid component until shortly before use by a consumer, at which point they are combined. In order to keep the dehydrogenated components and liquid component separate while maintaining the convenience and unity of the product, the dehydrogenated component can be kept in a cap while the liquid component is stored in a bottle or other container.

SUMMARY

One aspect provides a cap device comprising a chamber for storing a composition, and a shell adapted to be attachable to a container. The chamber can have one or more side walls connected to or descending from a top wall. The side walls can be made of either flexible or partially flexible material. In one aspect, the side walls can have a corrugated shape. The corrugated shape may comprise one or more flutes.

In another aspect, the shell is adapted to be attachable to a container and can be made of rigid or partially rigid material. The shell can have one or more side walls and a bottom portion, with the side walls descending from or connected to the bottom portion. In another aspect, the exterior of the side walls and/or bottom portion of the shell can have grooves for fitting a dust cap. In yet another aspect, the shell can have a hinge that flexibly associates the shell to a dust cap. The dust cap can be opaque or transparent or partially transparent.

In one aspect, the shell can be bonded to a container in any suitable manner (e.g., ultrasonic welding, threads disposed on the interior and exterior of the shell and container respectively or vice versa).

In another aspect, the chamber and shell can be manufactured as one piece, or made separately and later molded together. If manufactured together, a single material, two separate materials, or a gradation and mixture of two separate materials can be used, such that, in one aspect, the more flexible material is more concentrated in the chamber region, and the more rigid material is more concentrated in the shell region.

In another aspect, the chamber has a piercer disposed on the top wall. In one aspect, the piercer can be manufactured separately and molded to the top wall of the chamber, or manufactured together with the top wall of the chamber. In another aspect, the piercer has a cutting element. The cutting element can be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic, and can be of any shape, such as triangular, square, or diamond. The cutting element can be either sharp or blunt.

The shell has a bottom portion covered by any suitable material, such as a film. The film can be either thick or thin, made of plastic or metal, or any combination of plastic and metal and thick and thin materials. In one aspect, the bottom portion of the shell has threads in order to engage with the threads of the container.

In another aspect, a film can be used to cover the opening created by the side walls of the chamber. In another aspect, the chamber can be manufactured separately from the shell, filled with a composition, and then sealed with a film, prior to being molded to the shell.

In one aspect, actuation can occur by manually pressing down on the top wall of the chamber with a finger, thumb, or any other suitable means, such as a table-top or a wall. In another aspect, a dust cover situated on the shell can be pressed down or broken so that the chamber is compressed.

In one aspect, the flutes are pressed close against each other because of the compression of the chamber. The extremes of each flute can either bend or fold, such that the lengths of each flute come closer and nearly or do in fact touch.

During actuation, the piercer can break the film so that the chamber is in communication with the shell. The film can be broken by puncturing, cutting, or any other suitable means. In one aspect, the piercer has a cutting element. The cutting element can be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic, and can be of any shape, such as triangular, square, or diamond. The cutting element can be either sharp or blunt.

In one aspect, after actuation, the top wall and the side walls may continue to be actuated into the shell so that the chamber as a whole is turned inside out, and protrudes through the shell into the container. In one aspect, the chamber is no longer compressed, even extended, so that the corrugated shape of the side walls is flattened out, giving the chamber a smoother, more cylindrical or conical shape. Turning the chamber inside out, partially or wholly, enables the liquid inside the container to fully access the composition contained in the chamber, increasing the rate of mixing between the liquid and the composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The feature and nature of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which reference characters identify corresponding items.

FIG. 1 shows an aerial view of an exemplary cap device 1;

FIG. 1 a shows an exploded aerial view of an exemplary cap device 1;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an exemplary cap device 1;

FIG. 2 a shows a sectional exploded view of an exemplary cap device 1;

FIG. 3 shows an aerial view of an actuated cap device 1;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a partially actuated cap device 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a fully actuated cap device 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed methods and devices below may be described both generally as well as specifically. It should be noted that when the description is specific to an aspect, that aspect should in no way limit the scope of the methods and devices.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary cap device 1. The cap comprises a chamber 2 which has space for storing a composition, such as dehydrogenated and/or powderized drink mix, powdered vitamin mixture, or medication, and a shell 3. In one aspect, the composition may include camu, camu berry, manoic root, acerola berry, amla berry, buckwheet berry sprouts, blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, cherry, rose hips, lemon peel, black pepper, algae, spirulina, klamath, chlorella, dunaliella, kelp, wakame, kombu, bladderwrack, dulse, laver, millet sprouts, quinoa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, apple, green papaya, enzymes, amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, mushrooms, reishi, shiitake, maitake, agraricus, cordyceps, astragalus root, eleuthero root, lycium berry, angelica sinensis root, schizandara berry, bai-zhu atractylodes rhizome, fo-ti root, paeonia lactiflor root, rehmannia root, codonopsis root, licorice root, jujube fruit, jojoba berry, poria, ginger, ginger rhizome, tangerine peel, polygala root, ligusticum wallichii rhizome, wheat grass, barley grass, oat grass, alfalfa grass, spinach leaf, parsley leaf, kale leaf, collard leaf, nettle leaf, red clover flower, skullcap flower, skullcap leaf, burdock root, ginkgo leaf, yellow dock root, dandelion leaf, rosemary leaf, clove bud, sage leaf, natural vitamin E sunflower, chia seed, or any other suitable ingredient or combination of ingredients.

Chamber 2 can have one or more side walls 4 connected to or descending from a top wall 5. Side walls 4 can be shaped so as to be flush with top wall 5, and even surround top wall 5 to a degree, or they can be limited to below top wall 5. Side walls 4 can be made of either flexible or partially flexible material and can be of any suitable length or thickness. In one aspect, side walls 4 can have a corrugated shape. The corrugated shape may comprise one or more flutes 6. Flutes 6 may be thicker in some regions and thinner in other regions, allowing them to bend or fold when a force is applied to them. Flutes 6 may be of any length and width, and may be wider than they are long, or longer than they are wide.

Shell 3 can adapted to be attachable to a container and can be made of rigid or partially rigid material. Shell 3 can have one or more side walls 7 and a bottom portion 8, with side walls 7 descending from or connected to bottom portion 8. In one aspect, the exterior of side walls 7 and/or bottom portion 8 of shell 3 can have grooves 9 for fitting a dust cap (not shown). In another aspect, shell 3 can have a hinge (not shown) that flexibly associates or attaches it to a dust cap (not shown). In another aspect, the dust cap (not shown) is removably adapted to associate with the shell, and can be snapped onto the shell via grooves 9. The dust cap (not shown) can be opaque or transparent or partially transparent.

Shell 3 can be bonded or connected to a container (not shown) in many different ways, such as by ultrasonic welding, threads 10 disposed on the interior and exterior of the shell 3 and container (not shown) respectively, or vice versa, or by any other means. The container (not shown) can be made of any suitable material, such as glass, plastic, or metal, can be flexible or rigid, and can be of any shape, such as cylindrical, or partially-cylindrical. The container (not shown) can be filled with any kind of liquid, such as water, juice, soda, cosmetics, shampoo, or conditioner.

Chamber 2 and shell 3 can be manufactured as one piece, as in FIG. 1, or made separately, as in FIG. 1 a, and molded together. If manufactured together, a single material, two separate materials, or a gradation and mixture of two separate materials is possible, such that the more flexible material is more concentrated in the chamber region, and the more rigid material is more concentrated in the shell region.

In one aspect, chamber 2 and shell 3 are in communication with each other such that, for example, the interior of chamber 2 opens directly into the interior of shell 3. In another aspect, shell 3 is in communication with the container (not shown) as well, permitting communication from chamber 2, through shell 3, into the container (not shown). In another aspect, top wall 5 of chamber 2 is removable, allowing communication from the container (not shown), through shell 3, through chamber 2, and out of chamber 2, so that a composition or liquid or mixture may be consumed by a user.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of exemplary cap device 1. In one aspect, chamber 2 has piercer 11 disposed on top wall 5. Piercer 11 can be manufactured separately and molded to top wall 5 of chamber 2, or manufactured together with top wall 5 of chamber 2. In one aspect, piercer 11 has a cutting element 12. Cutting element 12 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal or plastic, and can be of any shape, such as triangular, square, or diamond. Cutting element 12 can be either sharp or blunt. In another aspect, the entire piercer 11 is cutting element 12. The piercer 11 may be of any suitable length but, in one aspect, no longer than the distance from top wall 5 to the film.

Shell 3 has a bottom portion covered by any suitable material, such as film 13. Film 13 can be either thick or thin, made of plastic or metal, or any combination of plastic and metal and thick and thin materials. In one aspect, bottom portion 8 of shell 3 has threads 10 in order to engage with the threads of the container (not shown).

In another aspect, film 13 can be used to cover the opening created by side walls 4 of chamber 2. In another aspect, chamber 2 can be manufactured separately from shell 3, filled with a composition, and then sealed with film 13, prior to being molded to shell 3.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an exemplary actuated cap device 1. It shows chamber 2 during actuation into shell 3. Here, flutes 6 are pressed close against each other because of the compression of chamber 2.

In one aspect, pressing down on top wall 5 of chamber 2 with a finger, thumb, or any other suitable means, such as a table-top or a wall, actuates chamber 2 into shell 3. In another aspect, actuation can occur by applying a single pulse-like force (or multiple pulse-like forces) to top wall 5. In another aspect, a dust cover (not shown) situated on shell 3 can be pressed down or broken or receive a force so that the chamber beneath it is subsequently compressed. In another aspect, the dust cover (not shown) is rigid enough to prevent accidental actuation prior to the time of desire use. In another aspect, flexible side wall 4 of chamber 2 is rigid enough to prevent accidental actuation prior to the time of desired use. In another aspect, any suitable tamper evident band or other device may be employed to prevent accidental actuation of chamber 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an exemplary partially actuated cap device 1. Here the piercer 11 has broken the film 13 so that the chamber 2 is in communication with the shell 3. Film 13 can be broken by puncturing, cutting, removing, or any other suitable means.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an exemplary fully actuated cap device 1. Here top wall 5 and side walls 4 have been forced into shell 3 so that chamber 2, as a whole, is turned inside out, and protrudes through the shell into the container (not shown). In one aspect, chamber 2 is no longer compressed, and can be extended, so that the corrugated shape of side walls 4 is flattened out, giving chamber 2 a smoother, more cylindrical or conical shape. Turning chamber 2 inside out, partially or wholly, enables the liquid inside the container (not shown) to fully access and engage the composition contained in chamber 2, increasing the rate of mixing between the liquid and the composition.

After actuation, the liquid filled container (not shown) can be agitated and cap device 1 removed in order to consume or use the liquid. In another aspect, top wall 5 of chamber 2 can be removed and the liquid can be consumed or used through the opening in chamber 2.

Further, not every element described herein is required. Indeed, a person of skill in the art will find numerous additional uses of and variations to the cap devices and methods described herein, which the inventors intend to be limited only by the claims. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A cap device adapted for use with a container comprising: a flexible chamber for containing a composition, the chamber comprising at least one side wall and a top wall, wherein the top wall has an integrated piercer; and a shell for associating the cap device with a container, the shell comprising a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film.
 2. The cap device in claim 1, wherein the side walls of the chamber are corrugated.
 3. The cap device in claim 2, wherein the side walls of the chamber are accordion-shaped.
 4. The cap device in claim 2, wherein the shell and chamber are manufactured as one piece.
 5. The cap device in claim 2, wherein the shell and chamber are manufactured separately and molded together.
 6. The cap device in claim 2, wherein the piercer is conical-shaped.
 7. The cap device in claim 2, wherein the piercer is cylindrically shaped.
 8. The cap device in claim 2, wherein the piercer has a cutting element disposed on the distal end of the piercer oriented toward the bottom portion.
 9. The cap device in claim 8, wherein the cutting element is blunt.
 10. The cap device in claim 8, wherein the cutting element is sharp.
 11. The cap device in claim 2, wherein a dust cover is adapted to be disposed around or on top of the chamber.
 12. The cap device of claim 11, wherein the dust cover is removably attachable to the shell.
 13. The cap device of claim 2, wherein the chamber is narrowest at the top and widest at the bottom.
 14. The cap device of claim 3, wherein the accordion shape of the side wall has more than three flutes.
 15. A cap device adapted for use with a container comprising: a flexible chamber for containing a composition, and a shell for associating the cap device with a container, with the chamber and shell manufactured as one piece; the chamber comprising at least one accordion-shaped side wall and a top wall, wherein the top wall has an integrated piercer; and the shell comprising a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film.
 16. The method of adding at least a portion of a composition to a container, comprising: providing a flexible chamber for containing a composition, the chamber comprising at least one side wall and a top wall, wherein the top wall has an integrated piercer; providing a shell for associating the cap device with a container, the shell comprising a bottom portion; wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film; and actuating the chamber toward the film so that the piercer breaks the film, wherein the composition flows from the chamber into the shell and through the bottom opening of the shell into the container.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising actuating the chamber so that the chamber enters the shell.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein substantially all of the composition in the chamber is removed from the chamber.
 19. A cap device adapted for use with a container comprising: a flexible chamber for containing a composition, the chamber comprising at least one corrugated side wall and a top wall; and a shell for associating the cap device with a container, the shell comprising a bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion forms an opening that is covered by a film; wherein the chamber can be pushed through the shell and into the container, so that the chamber is turned inside out.
 20. The cap device of claim 2, wherein the top wall is removable with respect to the rest of the chamber. 